Results
-
£172.50Edgar - Giacomo Puccini
Edgar was Giacomo Puccini's second opera but despite numerous changes and adaptations, it was never able to match the success enjoyed by his first opera Le Villi. Puccini himself was never completely satisfied with the opera either. It was not until the 1970's, after the first release of a recording of the work, that Edgar gained in popularity and recognition. Johan de Meij has created this fabulous concert band arrangement of this much under-performed work.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£68.99Requiem Aeternam - Giacomo Puccini
Giacomo Puccini was commissioned to write a second opera after the resounding success of his first, Le Villi. However, the original four-act, grand opera Edgar, to a libretto by Ferdinando Fontana, received a rather lukewarm reception at its premire in La Scala in Milan in 1889 - initially, the work was only performed three times. Of all the planned performances in the subsequent two years, only one took place, in Lucca, Puccini's birthplace. There, the work was well received. Nevertheless, the composer decided to make drastic changes to Edgar the most radical being the reduction of the opera to three acts, as well as altering a few arias, charactersand instrumental parts. In its revised form, the work was even less popular than before. The discarded fourth act later provided material for Tosca (the duet Amoro sol' per te), but Puccini never felt the need to defend Edgar - as he did other less fortunate operas, such as La Rondine and Suor Angelica. On a piano excerpt for his female friend Sybil Seligman he even corrupted the title to 'E Dio ti GuARda da quest' opera' (may God preserve you from this opera). This did not prevent Arturo Toscanini performing the Requiem from the third act at Puccini's funeral in Milan Cathedral on 3 December 1924. The Requiem in the third act is being played when the long funeral procession carries the alleged body of Edgar - the confusedyoung man hesitating between the love of the virtuous Fidelia and the exotic Tigrana. The mass hails Edgar as a hero, but a monk claims that he has betrayed his country for a few gold pieces. When the soldiers try to desecrate the body, they discover that the armor contains none. The monk reveals himself as Edgar. He wants to leave with his faithful Fidelia, but the vengeful Tigrana stabs him and kills Fidelia. Edgar grieves over the lifeless body of his beloved, while Tigrana is arrested and the people submerge into prayer.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£183.99Spring - Johan de Meij
This overture recounts the magical re-awakening of Spring's arrival in Sweden with the help of two Swedish folk songs. A melancholic, haunting song is first heard from afar as various instruments from different locations in the concert hall echo the solitary female voice. A soulful melody gradually transforms to a polka-like variant that gradually builds into the joyful main theme. The score contains valuable notes from the composer on how various effects and placement of musicians throughout the space can enhance Spring's performance.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£254.99Extreme Beethoven - Johan de Meij
Extreme Beethoven is based on a similar concept as its illustrious predecessor, Extreme Makeover. Melodies from Beethoven's great treasure trove of themes and motifs are quoted, embellished, compressed, repeated in minimalistic patterns, contrapuntally treated or placed within a new context. This unusual work stems from Johan de Meij's deep admiration for one of the greatest composers of all time.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£87.99Ballad for Benny - Philip Sparke
The birth of Philip Sparke's second son, Benjamin, was the inspiration for composing Ballad for Benny. A short calm introduction leads to the main ballad theme, a gentle waltz melody. Following the work's climax in which the complete band plays the main theme the sound fades and the piece ends in calm and serenity.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£176.50Four Norfolk Dances - Philip Sparke
Norfolk is one of the most beautiful counties in England, famous for its charming villages and boundless broads, a popular centre for sailing holidays. It is also the home of one of the best known of all British composers, Sir Malcolm Arnold. The date of the premiere of this piece was to fall close to his 80th birthday, so Philip Sparke decided to write something of a birthday tribute. Some of Arnold's best-loved orchestral works are his sets of dances: there are two sets of English Dances, Four Scottish Dances, Four Cornish Dances etc., most of which have been arranged for concert band at one time or another. Philip Sparke thought it would be appropriate for the concert band tohave its own set of dances and wrote Four Norfolk Dances very much in the style of Arnold's suites.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£69.99Prince of Denmark's March - Jeremiah Clarke
Jeremiah Clarke (c. 1674-1707) belongs to the generation of English composers following that of Henry Purcell. Not much is known about his early life, but by 1685 he was a chorister of the Chapel Royal, a group of liturgical musicians attached to the court. He held the post of organist at Winchester College from 1692 but later returned to London as Master of the Choristers at St Paul's Cathedral. The Prince of Denmark's March is perhaps his best-known work and was originally written for harpsichord, although Clarke later included it in a collection of pieces for wind instruments.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£87.99York'scher Marsch - Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven's York'scher Marsch is one of a collection of three tattoos (WoO 18-20) and has had a chequered history, to say the least. There are several autograph copies for different instrumentations, dedicated to different archdukes who were commanders of various regiments of the army including the Prussian regiment called Marsch des Yorkschen Corps, which is how its current title arose. Philip Sparke's arrangement enables a march by this major classical composer to be enjoyed by concert bands.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£137.99An English Sea Song Suite - Philip Sparke
The four tunes used in this suite have been made universally popular in Sir Henry Wood?s Fantasia on British Sea Songs, which is an ever-present ingredient in The Last Night of the Proms.He introduced this colourful suite into the Proms in 1905,to celebrate the centenary of Nelson?s brilliant victory at Trafalgar, when ?Britannia? really did ?rule the waves?. Bring the excitement of The Last Night of The Proms to any concert with this stirring new edition.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£99.99Meditation - Hans Leo Hassler
This timeless melody by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612) is now chiefly remembered because of its inclusion in J S Bach?s St.Matthew Passion(hence its title),where it is treated to a variety of rich harmonisations.This setting features alto and tenor saxophones, who first play a lyrical descant to the famous hymn tune and then the melody itself,against a Bach-like obbligato in the upper woodwinds.This fabulous new arrangement presents a wonderful opportunity to feature your saxophones.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
View Music